Scared-of-heights Boyzone star aims for diving show semis

That was a great dive from Keith Duffy! And he's thrilled as he thinks he will have impressed his kids... #Splash pic.twitter.com/dGRHdgrjbi

— The Sun Showbiz (@TheSunShowbiz) January 11, 2014

Williamson, who also spoke of suffering from vertigo, was the only celebrity in the ITV show who dared to dive from the 10m-high top platform.

Duffy – who has also been a 'Coronation Street' regular – previously said he struggled with “dizziness” as he looked down from the diving board, but performed an impressive display in tonight’s show, scoring 24.5 out of a maximum 30 points from judges Andy Banks, Jo Brand and Leon Taylor.

Banks, who is Team GB’s diving coach, told him: “Your ability has grown significantly since we first saw you. You said you wanted to make your kids proud. Job done in my book.”

Comedian Brand added: “Absolutely fantastic. You kept calm, you focused, and then you went. Brilliant.”

Olympic medallist Tom Daley, who is mentoring the contestants, said: “You can tell he’s used to performing in front of crowds because that’s the best you’ve done it.”

Williamson, 32, who scored 24, was told she was an inspiration to women for trying to conquer her fears, which include water, heights and, bizarrely, air vents.

Olympic medal-winning diver Taylor said: “That’s not for the faint-hearted all the way up there. You’ve taken this competition by storm. I can see the determination in your eyes.”

Banks said: “We talked earlier about control and height and you’ve got both. You’re an inspiration to girls out there. Girl power rules.”

Former rugby star Martin Offiah, 47, who had to take several deep breaths and screamed as he jumped off the 7.5m platform, was sent home after scoring just 18 points, while TV presenter Paul Ross also exited the competition after receiving a score of 21.5.

After performing a forward dive with tuck, the 55-year-old former radio host said he was “sweating up there like Joey Essex on Mastermind”.

Offiah, who sported hot pink fitted swimming trunks, admitted he was a “big girls’ blouse”, with Daley admitting he was surprised by the former England star’s nerves.

“I’ve never known someone that’s so big and everything like that and then you scream as you leave the diving board,” he said.

Willcox, 55, who executed an impressive inward dive with tuck from the 5m platform to win 24 points, said she had found a new hobby.

“I love diving, it’s become a new passion,” she said as she went head to head with Williamson.

Brand, who voted to keep her in the competition, said: “It wasn’t all right, it was absolutely brilliant. You’re a bundle of energy, I don’t know how you do it.”

Banks added: “You’re a pocket rocket, Where do you get all your energy? Where do you get all your spring? Amazing, well done.”

But both he and Taylor chose Williamson to go into the semi-final, with Willcox saying she had had “the time of my life” as she was sent home.

Wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan and Diversity dancer Perri Kiely dived into the semi-final last week.

Another five celebrities will be taking the plunge in next weekend’s show, all hoping to emulate the success of Eddie ”The Eagle” Edwards who won the first series of the contest last year.